About the Book

Book: The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride

Author: Elva Cobb Martin

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: September 10, 2024

She fled from a gilded cage, only to find herself trapped in a marriage of obligation.

Helena Allston had it all—wealth, beauty, and a life of luxury on her family’s plantation. But when her father arranges a marriage to a man she despises, Helena takes matters into her own hands, fleeing on horseback, only to find herself half-drowned and memory-less in a simple cottage. And when her memory returns, Helena ends up back where she began—arranged to marry, this time to the handsome gamekeeper who rescued her.

Could there be more than obligation to this marriage? Or is he only after the Windemere Plantation her father promised him?

Gideon Falconer is at a loss when it comes to the stubborn, beautiful woman he rescued from the Ashley River. His predicament only worsens when he returns her to her family’s plantation, where her father shocks him with a demand that Gideon marry his daughter to prevent a scandal. As a man new to his faith, he feels compelled to do the right thing, but his own secrets and the past left behind in England threaten to complicate matters further.

In a marriage that began as a mere obligation, can Helena and Gideon find the strength to let love and trust conquer all, despite a determined enemy’s schemes to wreck their hope?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Elva Cobb Martin is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in South Carolina with her husband and a mini-dachshund. A life-long student of history, her favorite city, Charleston, inspires her stories of romance and adventure. Her love of writing grew out of a desire to share exciting stories of courageous characters and communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement.

More from Elva

In The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride, I planned to develop a rich, spoiled heroine who had everything she wanted—beauty, wealth, reputation, an important Charleston family name, and even membership in a popular church of her day but who had no real relationship with Jesus Christ. Isn’t that like so many in America today with our many blessings and freedom but no real love for Christ, his written Word, or his love for the unborn and his biblical plan for marriage and gender? Yet our name may be on some church roll and we call ourselves Christian. I believe our Mighty God is calling America back to him in faith and obedience to the Bible. I believe He is calling forth godly leaders who will stand for truth and righteousness, but we must go to the polls and help raise them up. America has a mighty history and a covenant cut with God by our founders. Focusing our hearts and minds on Christ gives us courage and confidence, and we can look to the future with hope in our hearts.

Here’s part of a scene showing the “before Christ” Helena with her pride and arrogance after Gideon rescued her from drowning in the river:

Gideon ducked his head at her icy voice. “Look, young woman, I dragged you from the Ashley River and walked miles carrying you in my arms, to this cottage. You were soaked through and through and unconscious.”

She interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear any more of your wild story. Go from my presence and shut the door while I dress.” She pointed to the cabin door, then reached up and touched the lump on her forehead and groaned. “Why did you strike me, sir?” These words came from between gritted teeth.

Gideon’s nostrils flared. “Miss or ma’am, whichever you are, I did not strike you. You must have hit your head on your horse’s neck or a rock when you two jumped into the Ashley. For your information, all I did was save your life, if you’d like to thank me for that.”

Here’s part of Helena’s epiphany:

Captive on the pirate ship, Helena dropped to her knees beside the bed and cried out to God. Her life paraded before her, and tears blinded her eyes. The privileged life she’d led as a wealthy planter’s daughter now seemed frivolous and meaningless. She had never lacked for a thing and had not even imagined there could be such people as the pirate captain who now had her under his control, threatening to sail to the Barbary Coast and sell her to a sultan. Would Gideon and her father ever be able to rescue her before the ship sailed away? A chill rose from her heart to her fingertips. Slavery! Would she end up in slavery? Why had she never considered the poor slaves who met all their needs on the plantation? Ever since she was a child, slaves had done everything to make her family’s life easy and pleasant. Was she now to find out what it would be like to be a slave and at the mercy of someone else’s desires and moods?…Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my proud, selfish, unthankful life. If you’re real, come into my heart, deliver me, help me come to know Your plan and purpose for me.

Like Helena, we can cry out to God in humble repentance and return with our whole heart, and He will always answer. We are never out of the reach of God’s eyes or  hand. Here is a simple prayer I invite you to pray for yourself and our nation in this election year:

Father God, I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son you sent to save me from my sins. I repent and turn from them to You and Your Word. Please forgive me and come into my heart, be not only my Savior, but my Lord and director of my decisions, especially my vote for righteous leaders. Help me find a Bible-preaching church family and do my part in bringing America back to You. I believe You are working mightily in my life, family and nation, and I give You praise. Amen

Interview with Elva

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

When I was in the 7^th grade, I competed with the class in writing short stories. I lived on a farm and loved horses. My horse story of Dolly who won a race, even with a broken leg, did well in the class contest. That’s when I first thought of becoming a writer.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I wrote articles for Christian magazines in my earlier adult years while working full time as an executive secretary, and later, as an elementary school teacher. Finally, in my late 30’s I wrote the draft of my first novel. Just after finishing that draft the Lord called me and my husband into Christian ministry, and I put that draft and box of research up in my attic for the next many years. When I retired from full time ministry, a friend reminded me of that draft in the attic. I pulled it down and went to work again on it and attended writer conferences. Summer of Deception was finally published at my age 74, thirty years after that first draft. The Gamekeeper’s Reluctant Bride is my 8^th novel now at age 80, and we give God the glory. The takeaway to this testimony is you’re never too old for a plan from God and NEVER GIVE UP! I’ve taught in writers’ classes and have on my blog an article series about this entitled Journey to a Book Contract: Five Vital Steps. (In nine posts) Check for Part 9 here, then click down for all the other posts:: https://carolinaromancewithelvamartin.blogspot.com/search?q=Journey+To+a+Book+Contract

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

It’s not getting a creative idea or writing the first plot outline that’s hard for me, I believe the Lord helps me so well doing that when I pray and ask. The harder part is studying and learning to write WELL in deep POV and all the other editing stuff you need to learn and do. Writing conferences, critique partners, and writing groups are so important on this journey, as well as signing up for great writing-teaching blogs like Fiction University with Janice Hardy. I’ve learned so much from this dear writer/fiction author! Her blog is a gold mine for writers. I’ve printed out many of her articles and read them over and over.  http://blog.janicehardy.com/.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Our Father God has helped me write eight novels and one non-fiction short Bible study on the believers’ authority in Christ, Power Over Satan, which is available on Amazon always for $.99.

Of my novels, I think I have two favorites. My first novel, Summer of Deception, a romantic suspense, that took so long to see publication, is my second favorite because the hero is a wounded veteran, and I love making heroes of our veterans! My first favorite is The Pirate’s Purchase, Book 1 in my current Charleston Brides series. This book began my current creativity with our American history and courageous historical and fictional characters I fell in love with as I told their stories and tried to communicate truths of the Christian faith to bring hope and encouragement to readers.

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

I’d love for readers to sign up for my newsletter found at the top of page one on my website which also gives details about all my books and more about me. http://www.elvamartin.com

Thank you, Gina, for this interview! Have a blessed day. –Elva

Blog Stops

Stories By Gina, October 1 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 2

For the Love of Literature, October 3 (Author Interview)

Pens Pages & Pulses, October 3

Texas Book-aholic, October 4

Tell Tale Book Reviews, October 5 (Author Interview)

Locks, Hooks and Books, October 6

Beauty in the Binding, October 7 (Author Interview)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 8

Guild Master, October 9 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, October 10

Back Porch Reads, October 11 (Author Interview)

Devoted To Hope, October 12

Fiction Book Lover, October 13 (Author Interview)

Holly’s Book Corner, October 14

Pause for Tales, October 14

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elva is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5455/